htomc42 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Its time again for the North Carolina State Fair! Its actually not bad for a travelling fair. This year, no government officials are going to prison over scandals regarding the fair, either! Another fun house, and a log flume. Its actually warm enough to day to ride it without freezing. Lots of fun houses too. I hate it when they won't let you hold onto the sides of the spinning barrel at the end and spin with it. Lots of classic flat rides, too. Another kiddie coaster, the "Orient Express" by Wisdom. I passed on this one as well. Everyone must have a Wacky Worm these days-- in fact, this fair has two of them. Does this count for coaster credit? Out of the exhibit building and on to the midway! Exhibitors too, including major political parties. This is an Agricultural and Industrial fair, too, with all kinds of arts and crafts. Too bad this is all locked up! And a map of the fairgrounds, which is big. This year, an old racetrack was coverted into the new midway. The official fancy flashing color sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htomc42 Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 Lots of old stuff, a bit of new stuff.... AAARRGGHHH! Another dark ride. this one was much better- it was actually 2-story, and briefly went out over the covered "porch". They could still do a LOT better with the effects. More swinging goodness. This is the first time that I've seen one of these in years. Wasn't it once called the "Rock-A-Plane"? Freak show! Actually, its probably redundant, given that we are in North Carolina. All you have to do is look around to get a free show. A new ride- Disko by Zamperla. It goes fairly fast, riding up the sides of the U-shaped track almost like a skateboard ramp. An oldie but goodie. Decent mix of old and new rides. The one behind is huge, with two 4-person carriages at the end of arms that must be 100' each. The first dark ride that I came across. It really blows, though. inside, it just goes back and forth along big U-shaped halls. When you get to the end, a light comes on displaying an un-maintained monster figure. The same as the ex-MB Pavilion's version. This ride generates some wicked lateral forces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htomc42 Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 The heart of the midway... End of the night. I'll catch the fireworks in a bit, then head on out. I give it all a "B-" as far as NC state fairs go. They also lost points for not having an arcade. Easily 100' or more. Did I mention that this is an agricultural fair? I love the smell of gunpowder in the afternoon. I rode the Turkey Shoot, too. Sarah Brady was not amused. Suck it, Al-Qaeda. Too bad they wouldn't let me ride it today-- I'd love to take out all of those ^&^%%$ baby-strollers that are clogging up the crowd. The rest of it. Its the classic Galaxi configuration. The line moves quick, too. The only half-way decent coaster, a Galaxi clone called Avalanche. Ewwww..... I'm not sure I want to get on that thing. Approaching the main center of the midway, where all the big rides are lined up in 2 rows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgwfreak Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Great PTR!!! I so wanted to go this year, but ended up going to the step-child to the south (South Carolina State Fair). Which wasn't terrible, but not as good as NC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpengeist04 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Nice PTR!!!! Heck, I live less than 15 mins. from the fairgrounds and didn't go , so thanks for the pics. Edit: I was going to go, but I believe State had a football game the day I had planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Thrill Dragster Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Great trip report, I used to go to the fair every year when I was living in NC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinacaniac Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Good report! Looked like you had spent more time than I did there, I arrived around 3-4 in the afternoon, but it was still a good time. I think next year if I go I am gonna get the books of tickets in advance, I paid out the a$$ since i got them there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tngdiablo Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 I was really hoping to make it this year since I had missed it last year. However, with Fall Break coinciding with the last weekend of the fair and an insane amount of work the first weekend, it didn't work out. Sure as heck hope I make it next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Rock-O-Planes were in ferris wheel form, with seats facing in only one direction and two-across instead of 1. Roll-O-Planes are like inverters that never go upside-down and hurt like a b*tch when you cram 3 people into them, as the door juts into the side of the car, instead of outside of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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